Community fundraiser and jobs

Donor Engagement & Communications Lead

Salary: £30,500 - £34,500 pa

Contract Type: Permanent

The Edinburgh International Festival is looking for a creative, organised, and collaborative storyteller to join the team in our new Donor Engagement & Communications Lead role. We want you to help us deliver this unparalleled celebration of the performing arts, which brings some of the most exciting and creative artists working today to audiences from around the world. 

EIF is an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and applications from candidates of all communities and backgrounds. Inclusive culture is the foundation for a successful workplace, this is a key focus for us across our staff, our artists, and our audiences.

To increase the diversity of our staff, our recruitment includes the Rooney Rule - regarding ethnicity – and Disability Confident Scheme for interviews. For more information go to our website.

Job Specification

The Role:

The Donor Engagement & Communications Lead will creatively bring together the right people, information, and messaging to demonstrate the impact of philanthropy and partnerships at the Festival, and deploy appropriate strategies to maximise donor satisfaction and retention.

Able to write and develop content for a range of donor constituents on a variety of artistic forms, they will ensure fundraising is integrated into communication channels at all levels, and that frontline fundraisers on the team are equipped with the materials and content they need to grow and maintain fruitful donor relationships.

They will work closely with fundraisers and colleagues across the Development team to lead and manage the donor recognition and stewardship programme, as well as develop reports, updates and activities that connect supporters directly to the impact that they enable.

The Donor Engagement & Communications Lead will also foster productive internal relationships, particularly with colleagues in the Audiences department, to develop content and materials which articulate the Festival’s fundraising priorities and outcomes.

Performance Indicators and Deliverables 

· A strategic, nuanced, year-round communications plan for the Festival’s donor and prospects, particularly those who don’t regularly attend the Festival

· Exceptional written content, tailored for different donors and tones of voice (including our brand tone of voice) which communicates our case for support and the impact of our supporters’ generosity

· Engaging strategic events, bringing artists and supporters closer together, in support of our fundraising strategy

· Supporting frontline fundraising personnel with the materials, resources, and assets they need to communicate effectively and consistently with their donors and prospects

Benefits: EIF-Employee-Benefits.pdf

Please apply online at Jobs | Edinburgh International Festival

Closing date for applications: 5pm, Thursday 30 April 2026

Interviews will be held on 13 and 14 May, with second round interviews for finalists on 18 May.

If a high volume of applications is received for this role, it is possible the job opening will close before the application closing date. We advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Job applicants will be expected to provide evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom or be able to obtain such. This role is not eligible under the Skilled Worker Route.

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.

Role Overview
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with CleanupUK on a fantastic Trusts and Philanthropy Fundraising Lead role. This is a key member of the income generation team, responsible for securing funding from trusts, foundation, Lottery and other non-corporate grant-making sources to support their work in deprived communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementing existing and future annual workplans, complemented with your own input into maximising CleanupUK’s revenue from trusts, foundations, The Lottery and other appropriate sources
• Raising the non-corporate annual budgeted fundraising revenue
• Managing the part-time freelance Local/Regional Trust and Foundations Fundraiser to help them maximise their revenue
• Managing the part-time freelance National Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser to help them maximise their revenue
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive, nurture the key existing funder relationships
• To develop strong and close relationships with new key trust and foundation funders
• To optimise the relationships to ensure good communication between CleanupUK teams on fundraising matters
• The role will involve both hands-on fundraising and also significant involvement in planning CleanupUK’s future strategy
• Contribute to the exploration of appropriate new revenue streams for CleanupUK

Person Specification

• Experience in trusts and philanthropy fundraising, ideally within the charity sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft creative and compelling proposals from diverse programme areas.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Proven track record of securing 5 and 6 figure gifts from trusts, donations, lottery, statutory or major donor fundraising
• Organised and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities.

What’s on Offer
Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)
Location: Remote, with travel for occasional internal meetings and to meet funders

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

About Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) is the UK’s leading patient charity dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Our mission is underpinned by values of compassionate, bold, expert and collaborative. We believe in creating a supportive environment in which both our employees and beneficiaries can thrive.

Founded in 2013 by people affected by PF and clinicians, APF has grown into a respected national charity rooted in community and evidence. We provide trusted information and support, help a growing network of support groups, campaign to improve access to care and invest in research to bring hope of new treatments. APF strives to be an organisation of equity and inclusion, welcoming people from all backgrounds – our team and volunteers aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

We have just launched an ambitious five-year strategy (2025–2030), co-created with the PF community, which focuses on expanding support, transforming care, and accelerating research. This strategy marks a step change with a clearer focus, stronger delivery model and greater ambition to ensure no one faces pulmonary fibrosis alone.

Role purpose

The Senior Challenge Fundraising Officer will lead the delivery and growth of APF’s third-party and mass participation challenge events portfolio.

This role exists to significantly grow income and participation by managing end-to-end third-party challenge events, developing community-facing charity-owned fundraising products and delivering excellent supporter stewardship

Working closely with the Head of Fundraising and colleagues across Communications, Services and the Operations Team, you will increase recruitment, empower supporters to raise ambitious funds, and create journeys that encourage long-term engagement with APF.

Success in this role means more people fundraising for APF, raising more income and feeling valued, supported and inspired to stay connected to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. Grow participation in third party

• Manage the full lifecycle of third-party and mass participation challenge events, from planning and recruitment through to stewardship and re engagement.
• Develop and execute creative marketing strategies to boost participation and attract new event participants.
• Draft engaging promotional content that inspires and engages our supporters in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Promote third-party events proactively across relevant channels and networks.
• Work with the wider Fundraising team to improve and refine the stewardship journey for challenge participants to maximise the participant experience.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow participation in new and existing events.
• Attend key events as required, managing on-the day logistics and volunteer coordination.

2.  Community Product Development

• Work with Head of Fundraising to shape and improve APF’s fundraising offer and remote products.
• Test and refine new fundraising concepts that increase accessibility and broaden participation.
• Work collaboratively across teams to ensure our community fundraising products align with wider campaigns and strategic priorities.

3.  Income growth and fundraiser mpowerment

• Inspire participants to achieve ambitious fundraising targets through engaging, creative communications.
• Develop and enhance fundraising materials, including participant packs and digital resources to support our fundraisers.
• Use insight and sector trends to identify opportunities to boost event visibility and maximise fundraising efforts.
• Monitor fundraising performance to ensure we’re meeting targets and delivering strong ROI on our challenge activities.

4. Stewardship and re-engagement

• Foster personal connections with supporters through thoughtful, tailored stewardship that keeps them engaged and feeling valued.
• Create clear re-engagement plans to encourage repeat participation and long-term loyalty.
• Collaborate with wider Fundraising and Services teams to support acquisition and ensure our supporters have a smooth, high-quality supporter journey.
• Represent APF publicly when required, acting as a confident ambassador for the charity at events and in public settings.

5. Data, insight and compliance

• Support on the management of CRM data to enable accurate segmentation, performance tracking and reporting.
• Monitor recruitment, participation, income and ROI to help inform future planning and improvements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge with GDPR regulations and compliance and ensure personal data is handled responsibly and securely.
• Work closely with the Governance and Operations Manager to ensure our fundraising activities are fully compliant with GDPR and the Code of Fundraising Practice.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and a covering letter (maximum of two pages) highlighting your skills and suitability to the role, reflecting the key responsibilities in the job description.

First stage interviews to be held virtually on 1st May 2026, second stage interviews to be held at the Peterborough office on 8th May 2026.

About The Connection at St Martin’s

We believe that no one should have to sleep rough on London’s streets, and that everyone should get the support they need to find a place to call home. We get to know every person we work with, understanding what they need to recover, helping them build on their strengths, and supporting them to find their own way home. Help us make London a city where no one sleeps rough on our streets.

London’s diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates with lived experience of homelessness who we believe are an essential asset in our sector.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome the opportunity to consider flexible working arrangements.

About the Role

A key leader within the ambitious and forward-thinking Fundraising & Communications Team at The Connection at St Martin’s, the Head of Supporter Involvement plays a central role in inspiring, growing and stewarding our community of supporters.

This role is all about connection - building meaningful, lasting relationships with individuals and bringing them closer to our vision of ending homelessness. Through creative, insight-led campaigns and engaging supporter journeys, you will help people understand the impact of their support and feel part of a movement for change.

You will lead on two of our flagship acquisition campaigns - our Threads of Remembrance installation, and our mixed media campaign Dying For - shaping compelling narratives and experiences that resonate deeply with supporters and drive engagement and income. Alongside this, you will provide strategic and line management leadership to our Events and Community Fundraising function, ensuring high-quality, inspiring opportunities for supporters to get involved, give, and advocate.

Working closely with colleagues across Fundraising and Communications, you will develop and deliver innovative Individual Giving and community engagement campaigns across digital and offline channels, with a strong focus on stewardship - ensuring every supporter feels valued, informed, and motivated to continue their journey with us. You will also lead on our work with the Friends of The Connection, our sister charity and membership community, to strengthen supporter engagement and loyalty.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in Individual Giving, ideally with digital expertise, and a passion for creating outstanding supporter experiences. You will bring a solutions-focused mindset, an ability to translate sector best practice into action, and the confidence to test new ideas and approaches.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone ready to broaden their leadership impact - shaping campaigns, growing community fundraising and events, and playing a key role in how we bring supporters on board with our mission.

This role is a 12 month FTC.

Salary: £53,601-£58,814 (scale points 38-43)
Closing Date: Sunday 26 April
Interview Date: Wednesday 6 May

Our Benefits

· 30 days holiday plus bank holidays

· Generous training budget, plus an annual personal training budget

· Enhanced Sick Pay Policy

· Enhanced family friendly policies

· Day off for moving house

· Hybrid working (depending on role requirements)

· Pension – 5% Employer, 3% Employee

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Season Ticket Loan

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Reward Gateway (access to discount vouchers and cashback at the UK’s favourite retailers)

We are a London Living Wage employer

Interim Public Fundraising Manager

Salary: Band 6 £39,775.77 - £45,489.23 per annum inclusive

Contract type: Fixed term (6 months) | Full-time, 37.5 per week 

About the job role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Interim Public Fundraising Manager in our fundraising team at St Joseph’s Hospice.

We are looking for an experienced Fundraising Manager to join our small but dynamic fundraising team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the public fundraising team – overseeing the recruitment and retention of individual supporters and community organisations through appeals, regular giving, in-memory, challenge events and fundraising activities. 

About you

You will need:

• Significant experience working in the public fundraising environment with specialism in one of the following: Individual Giving, Community & Events or Legacy & In-Memory fundraising.
• Experience in line management and supervision, providing support and leadership.
• Experience of developing donor journeys and delivering excellent supporter stewardship to retain donors.
• Experience of budget management, monitoring income and expenditure, delivering to budget and reforecasting.

Where you’ll work

St Joseph’s Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity and built on a rich Catholic heritage. Today, we are an Investors in Diversity-awarded charity, providing expert, compassionate care to people of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs across East and North London.

Our specialist palliative care services — delivered at home, in our in-patient unit, and through out-patient clinics — are grounded in respect for human dignity and guided by compassion, justice, and a deep commitment to quality. Our values guide us in everything that we do. We work to ensure that everyone receives the support they need, with kindness, understanding, and respect by delivering individualised, responsive and holistic support to patients and their families.

Why work for us?

• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service
• Subsidised café and early access to retail sale events
• Season ticket/Welfare loans
• Continuation of the NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme.
• Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme
• Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services

Join St Joseph’s team and find out more!

For further information and to apply, please visit our dedicated recruitment page via the 'Apply' button.

Closing date: Friday, 17th April 2026.

Interview date: Friday, 24th April 2026.

We are an equal opportunity and a disability confident employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

About the role

At some point in our lives, we or someone we love will need hospital care. At UHCW Charity, we’re here to make those moments better - funding the extras that go beyond NHS provision, from life-saving equipment and pioneering research to more comfortable, welcoming spaces and support for patients, families and staff when they need it most.

We’re looking for a Fundraising and Events Lead to play a key role in delivering and growing income across corporate, community and events fundraising. This is a hands-on role where you’ll lead day-to-day fundraising activity, build strong relationships with supporters, and ensure every interaction reflects the quality and care at the heart of our charity.

You’ll work closely with the Head of Fundraising to drive forward plans, strengthen supporter journeys, and ensure our fundraising is proactive, well-coordinated and consistently delivered. You will also line-manage and support our Fundraising Assistant, helping them to develop and thrive in their role.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the delivery of fundraising activity across corporate, community and events income streams

• Planning and overseeing a varied events programme, ensuring high-quality supporter experiences

• Building and managing relationships with corporate partners, community groups and key stakeholders

• Supporting and inspiring fundraisers across the Trust, local community and beyond

• Developing fundraising materials, campaigns and communications in collaboration with marketing

• Overseeing supporter journeys and stewardship to improve engagement, retention and income

• Managing and supporting the Fundraising Assistant

• Using our CRM (Beacon) to track activity, analyse performance and inform future planning

About you

You’ll be a proactive and organised fundraiser with experience delivering events and building excellent relationships that generate income. You’ll be confident managing multiple priorities, spotting opportunities, and ensuring a high standard of supporter experience at every stage.

You’ll also bring:

• At least 3 years’ experience in fundraising or a similar role

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience planning and delivering events or fundraising activities

• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team

• Confidence using data and insight to improve performance

Most importantly, you’ll be motivated by making a genuine difference and helping us grow support for our hospitals and communities.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad and varied fundraising portfolio within a well-respected NHS charity. You’ll play a key role in shaping supporter experiences, growing income sustainably, and building relationships that have a real and lasting impact.

We offer:

• 27 days annual leave plus public holidays

• A pension scheme with matched contributions up to 7%

• Blue Light Card discounts

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Opportunities for professional development

Join us and help make a real difference for patients, families and staff across Coventry and Warwickshire.

Volunteer Centre Hackney is a thriving charity (annual income circa £1.1m, with 29 paid staff) providing volunteering infrastructure to the voluntary sector across the City of London and the London borough of Hackney. We support over 1500 residents a year to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others. We also provide volunteering resource, and advice and guidance on best practice in volunteer management, to hundreds of charities and community organisations.

Through our specialist programmes, our impact on the lives of residents is huge. We match volunteers to housebound residents to help them engage with communities and leave their homes; we provide long term personalised support to people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities to help them volunteer and find paid jobs; we support patients to deliver hundreds of their own activities and peer support groups at GP practices across City and Hackney; and in partnership with Public Health, we support over 250 Community Health Champions to share vital health messaging with their own diverse communities.  

This is a hands-on and strategic role for an experienced fundraiser who thrives in a small to medium sized charity environment. You will have autonomy to develop a whole new fundraising strategy, utilising diverse fundraising methods, and building and developing new project ideas and partnerships. You will lead on income generation primarily through sourcing and applying to multiple trusts and foundations, but diversified by building new corporate partnerships, community campaigns and individual giving. You will build authentic relationships with funders and supporters, and together with VCH colleagues, will identify new programme models as ways to generate income. You will contribute to the development and production of compelling stories, evidence and marketing and build and maintain the infrastructure needed to track and achieve progress against annual income targets.

Post holders need to have excellent communication skills, to represent the charity in writing and in person. You must be enthusiastic, self-motivating and confident to work primarily alone, but also able to engage and collaborate with staff from across the organisation to share information and impact evidence to support your role. If you are successful in securing funding there will be the potential to recruit additional support, and for you to become the Head of Fundraising of a small team.

For over 30 years, we’ve pioneered the use of beekeeping as a sustainable development tool, helping communities across Africa escape poverty while protecting biodiversity. Now we’re ready to scale our impact significantly — growing from £900K to £1.4M income within three years and expanding to new locations using our proven model.

The Opportunity:
This is a rare chance to lead a mission-driven organisation with huge potential. You’ll work with influential patrons including The Queen, Monty Don, Martha Kearney, Kate Humble, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, all ready to actively support our ambitious goals. You’ll manage a talented team of seven and work alongside seven committed trustees.

What we’re looking for:
We need a leader who

• Is genuinely passionate about environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation
• Can develop and execute ambitious fundraising strategies, including corporate partnerships and major donor relationships
• Brings financial acumen and strategic planning experience
• Enjoys managing and developing people—our small team is excellent and is keen to welcome great leadership
• Thrives on networking and relationship-building, actively seeking opportunities
• Is comfortable being the external face of the organisation with donors, corporates, and partners
• Has senior leadership experience (ideally in the third sector, though we welcome strong leaders from any sector)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic planning and organisational growth in partnership with the Board
• Act as chief fundraiser and spokesperson, personally engaging with high-level donors
• Develop corporate partnerships and ESG opportunities
• Manage and inspire our team of seven, fostering a culture of excellence
• Oversee a ~£1M+ budget and ensure strong financial management
• Deepen relationships with international partners in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda and beyond
• Build BfD’s profile and brand visibility

What we offer:

• Salary of £65,000-£70,000 (negotiable based on experience)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension (flexible package)
• Hybrid working possible with minimum 3 days in our Monmouth office (important for team collaboration and partner engagement)
• The chance to lead a respected organisation through an exciting growth phase
• Opportunity to make a real difference to communities and biodiversity worldwide

Timeline:
Application deadline: 13th April 2026

Bees for Development is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace.

Harris Hill are delighted to be working with a fantastic charity to recruit for the Senior Public Fundraising Manager in order to oversee Individual Giving and Community Fundraising programmes, driving income growth and deepening supporter engagement. You’ll play a key strategic role, developing innovative campaigns, strengthening donor relationships, and expanding community reach. This will be 12 months FTC (Maternity cover).

You’ll manage and inspire a team while working closely with senior leadership to deliver ambitious fundraising plans that ensure vital services continue to reach families who need them most.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of Individual Giving and Community Fundraising strategies
• Drive supporter acquisition, retention, and engagement through insight led campaigns
• Manage and grow key income streams, ensuring targets are met and exceeded
• Oversee budgets, analyse performance, and report on campaign impact
• Develop innovative fundraising products and supporter journeys
• Build strong relationships with donors, partners, and community groups
• Line manage and support a team of fundraisers, fostering a high performing culture
• Collaborate across teams to deliver integrated campaigns and maximise impact

Essential experience:

• Proven success in fundraising, including meeting income targets
• Experience managing budgets and analysing performance
• Strong supporter care and relationship management skills
• Experience leading or mentoring teams
• Excellent organisational, communication, and project management skills
• Confident using databases and Microsoft Office tools

You’ll also be:

• A creative and proactive thinker
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Empathetic and able to communicate sensitively
• A collaborative team player and strong relationship builder

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £45,000 per annum
• Contract type: 12 months FTC, full time, 37.5 hrs a week
• Location: London, hybrid working  

Recruitment process: Cv and Supporting Statement to

If this sounds like you, then please do get in touch ASAP!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

SMART CJS – Trust and Foundations Bid Writer

Role Overview

Are you committed to supporting people who are homeless or rough sleeping?

Are you proactive with a positive attitude?

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Bid Writer (with some responsibility for corporate fundraising)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Working from our office in central Bedford, with some provision for remote working.

About SMART CJS

Founded in 1997, we are a charity that provides safe spaces for people who are facing or experiencing homelessness, are rough sleeping or have fallen on tough times. As times have changed, our services have adapted and grown, but we’ve always kept the people we support at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone needs a little help sometimes and, with trust, respect and honesty, people can make incredible changes. Our vision is to transform communities so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Our mission is to provide safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities, empowering them to make positive changes and take control of their lives.

Why Join Us?

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Benefits include:

• 27 days Annual Leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Generous Pension scheme (after successfully completing a probation period)
• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• Access to a Charity Worker Discount scheme
• Access to the company health and wellbeing service including support with mental health, legal advice and more
• Access to an online GP service

We require all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder.

The Role

SMART CJS is looking to recruit a Trusts and Foundations Bid Writer. The successful candidate will also have some responsibility for corporate fundraising with businesses based in Bedford and beyond; this responsibility will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

The main responsibility, though, will be to generate income by writing bids to charitable trusts and foundations, and to statutory funders.

The role will include researching and identifying charity trusts and similar bodies which are able to make an award to SMART. It will also include keeping abreast of developments in fundraising in the charity sector as a whole, especially in the field of grant awarding and, to a lesser extent, of corporate giving.

There will be a probationary period for the role. As it generally takes six months for a grant to be awarded (though some arrive more quickly), the probationary period will need to be for a minimum of seven months, though its precise duration can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Training will be given; the scope of the training will depend on the candidate’s previous experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SMART’s friendly and dedicated team. You’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively; the role is primarily self-directed. We envisage that you’ll be working primarily from our offices in Prebend Street, Bedford, though you'll be able to work from home for some of the time as well. Given the nature of our work, personal resilience is important; some of the stories we use when applying for funding can be emotionally challenging.

Our fundraising comes from regular gifts, donations from the community (individuals and groups), and corporate bodies (businesses). The majority of our fundraising income comes from grants. There will be a realistic target for the amount you need to raise; this will reflect the performance for grant applications in the charity sector as a whole and it will not be unrealistic. Fundraising is not an exact science; the assessment of performance against the targets will be fair and reasonable. The final responsibility for SMART’s fundraising rests with the trustees; they appreciate and understand the complexity of the issues involved.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will work closely with the CEO, the Chair of Trustees, the Head of Business and the fundraising team. The post involves gathering information, writing the bids, tracking the progress of submissions, and reporting back to grant awarders on how their money has been spent, if they require this.

There will also be a responsibility for corporate fundraising. This will involve building relationships with businesses in and beyond the Bedford area. The responsibility for this will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Bid Writing

• Research and identify suitable grant and funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies.
• Write and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals in line with SMART’s strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with service leads and front line teams to gather accurate, up-to-date data and service information for applications.
• Tailor the applications to the funder’s criteria, using storytelling effectively.
• Manage a pipeline of applications and submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and income targets are tracked.
• Maintain and build relationships with key funders, providing timely reports and updates on grant-funded work.
• Work to realistic targets and be able to provide feedback on these.
• Organisational Development and Support
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMART’s income generation plans.
• Support development of strong internal bid and grant management systems.
• Monitor success rates and provide monthly reporting on funding performance to the Head of Business and to the Chair of Trustees.
• Represent SMART CJS at funding briefings, webinars, and networking opportunities where appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in SMART’s performance management and appraisal process.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee (a sub‑committee of the Board of Trustees).
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the CEO, the Head of Business or the Chair of Trustees.

Person Specification

Whether you’re already an experienced bid-writer, or whether you think this is something that you could learn to do effectively, we’d like to hear from you. You need to have excellent skills in written English and be able to write in prose that’s clear and readily understandable to the general reader. The criteria for each grant awarder are different; you need to be able to match your bid to what they would like to fund (homelessness, mental health, relief of poverty, women’s issues and so on). You need, then, to tell SMART’s story in a way which appeals to each funder.

You need to have excellent inter-personal skills and be able to work as part of a team. While there is a strong element of self-direction in the role, you need to be able to work closely with senior management and also with the trustees; the trustees have the final responsibility for fundraising in the charity.

You will need, too, to have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to have a genuine interest in homelessness and the work of the charity, and a commitment to improving our clients’ lives and wellbeing.

Join our team and help deliver real-world change

We stand at a defining moment. Climate change, inequity, and health challenges demand action. This isn't the first time Manchester has risen to the moment, and now we are ready to do it again.

At the end of 2025 we launched our first ever fundraising and volunteering campaign, “ Challenge Accepted”. We're uniting alumni, donors, staff, students and civic, industry and community partners to tackle the world's toughest challenges and transform lives locally and globally.

We are building an exceptional team of people to champion bold thinking that is rooted in impact.

Will you accept the challenge?

Manchester individuals are recognised for embracing shared values such as integrity, courage, ambition, and collaboration. Our community is strengthened by a pioneering outlook and a collective determination to drive positive change. We welcome people of all backgrounds who demonstrate resilience, optimism, and a genuine commitment to fostering a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world. If you share these qualities, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with us.

This is a fixed term position for 3 years.

Details of the Role

Reporting to the Head of Principal Gifts, the Philanthropy Manager (Principal Gifts) will operate at the higher end of donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to secure significant support (six and seven figure gifts) in support of the University’s key priorities.

As an exceptional fundraiser, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of relationships with alumni and significant philanthropists, to secure gifts for bold, impactful projects and programmes across the University. You will proactively build the pipeline, demonstrating a creative approach to reach potential new donors in the UK and globally.

We seek individuals with success in securing significant philanthropic gifts in the Higher Education, Voluntary or Cultural Sector or proven transferable skills. You will have experience of working within a team whilst working towards personal targets. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are results orientated, persuasive and have exceptional negotiation skills.

Fundraising at The University of Manchester

As a member of the University's fundraising team, you’ll have access to a robust support structure that enables you to do your very best work. This includes regular training and development opportunities; access to detailed reports, data, and management information to guide and inform your fundraising; an expert team of Operations and Prospect Research colleagues supporting your work; and the full engagement of senior University leadership. As part of an experienced and supportive network of fundraisers, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate and share best practice. You’ll also have access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to help you develop core skills like personal effectiveness, leadership, and management.

Manchester Mindset

Our approach to fundraising is driven by our values of being collaborative, bold and ambitious – and approaching our work with integrity. These values underpin the Manchester Mindset: our framework for fundraising success, authored by and for our fundraising team.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and all appointments will be made on merit. As we are committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area. 

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Lightbox Gallery & Museum is entering an ambitious new phase as we prepare for our 20th anniversary in 2027. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced and initiative-taking fundraiser to help shape the organisation’s future by developing new income streams and leading our anniversary campaign, Lightbox20.

You will take ownership of the campaign activity across the organisation - developing strategy, building relationships with donors and partners, and delivering income to agreed targets. At the same time, you will manage the practical detail that underpins successful fundraising, including stewardship and our CRM system.

Key priorities are developing and delivering the Big Give campaign this year, capital fundraising for the garden and our 20th anniversary Lightbox 20.  

This role will suit someone who thrives in a small organisation, understands the unique challenges and opportunity this brings and who is self-motivated to build an ambitious campaign from the ground up. The successful appointee will combine strategic thinking with direct delivery, collaborating closely with the Director and Trustees to secure the next chapter of Lightbox Gallery’s success.

ABOUT BRIGHTPIP

BrightPIP (Brighton Parent/Infant Psychological Therapy) is a specialist infant mental health charity supporting babies aged 0–2 and their families across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We provide early therapeutic intervention to strengthen relationships and prevent cycles of intergenerational trauma.

We are a small, friendly and growing charity, supported by a dedicated clinical team and Trustee Board. As we expand to support up to 250 families per year, we are strengthening our operational and coordination capacity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and highly organised Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator to grow BrightPIP’s visibility, income and community engagement. This role sits at the heart of BrightPIP’s external presence, working closely with clinicians, trustees and supporters to tell our story and build sustainable income.

This is a key role within the charity. You will lead our day-to-day marketing and communications, and support and deliver community fundraising campaigns and events. You will also build strong relationships with supporters, nurseries/schools, community groups and corporate partners.

This role is ideal for a confident self-starter who enjoys storytelling, connecting with people, and shaping a growing role within a values-driven organisation. The role will evolve as the charity grows, offering opportunities to develop new campaigns, partnerships and communications.

You will report to the Clinical Director and work closely with the clinical team, fundraiser and trustees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead BrightPIP’s marketing, communications and brand presence across digital and print channels
• Create and schedule social media content, newsletters, blogs and website updates
• Support and deliver community fundraising campaigns, events and challenge activities
• Steward supporters, families, nurseries/schools, community groups and corporate partners
• Write case studies, supporter stories and communications materials (with safeguarding oversight)
• Support press activity and media engagement
• Work closely with clinicians, the fundraiser and trustees to support BrightPIP’s growth

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who is creative, confident and people-focused, with a passion for telling meaningful stories and connecting communities with a cause they believe in.

Do you…?

• Enjoy creating engaging content and campaigns that bring a charity’s work to life
• Feel confident managing social media, newsletters and digital communications
• Like building relationships with supporters, community groups and partners
• Enjoy planning and delivering fundraising activities and events
• Have a good eye for brand, tone and consistency
• Use insight and engagement trends to shape future activity
• Take initiative, enjoy variety, and like seeing the impact of your work

Experience in marketing, fundraising, communications or community engagement is essential.

Experience with tools such as Canva, Mailchimp or WordPress is desirable.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a pioneering, highly specialist team who are passionate about our mission and supportive of each other
• Flexible, family-friendly working, with hybrid working
• Opportunity to shape and grow with the role as the charity expands
• CPD and development opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit:

· Your CV

· A short supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the role and how your experience meets the person specification

SAFEGUARDING

BrightPIP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of babies, children and families. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.